Friends, family help family recover from fire

NEW DURHAM — Three weeks ago, John Contrada watched as his life was turned upside down.

The home he put months of work into had burned to the ground.

Although the house he shared with his wife Marie and their children Brittany, 20, and Andy, 14, was destroyed in the Dec. 27 fire, the family remained standing.

“We lost everything,” he said of the home where the family lived for two years.

Slowly, with the help of friends and family, their lives are coming back together.

Over the past few days, residents of New Durham and surrounding communities donated items to help the family get back on its feet. Meanwhile, a friend opened an account for donations at Profile Bank and his children set up a crowd-sourcing fund on the website youcaring.com.

Through generous donations from close friends and family to strangers near and far, the family has been able to buy coats, boots, and beds for their temporary home in a Wolfeboro apartment.

“We are truly blessed to have the friends and family that we do. They are helping us get through this,” Contrada said of his daughter, Julie Abbott, and her husband Bob and son John Contrada, Jr., who set up the online account. He is also grateful for Ernest Shipman, a friend and neighbor who set up the bank account.

Local community organizations have also stepped up to provide for the family. A food pantry is helping feed them, and others are providing clothing. The New Durham Fire Department is hosting a benefit for the family later this month.

“We deeply appreciate the support that we are getting, big or small; together it all helps,” said Julie Abbott. The online fundraiser she set up with her brother and husband has raised $3,000 so far. The family hopes to raise $5,000.

She explained that there are no specific items to be purchased with the money. They are meeting the needs of the family as they go. So far, the family bought a sofa bed and a toaster, among other items.

“We can only take it one day at a time,” Contrada said.

The family also seeks office supplies because Marie works from home, he said. They need everything from a desk and chair to a printer and mouse.

Anyone interested in donating can email jjadad@hotmail.com or call 717-8063.

Checks can be sent to Profile Bank, 45 Wakefield St., Rochester, N.H. 03867, Attn: John and Maria Contrada. Make sure the names “John and Maria Contrada” appear on the check or in a note.

Donations can also be made online at youcaring.com/contrada.

“It’s incredible the amount of caring and support people have shown,” Contrada said. “Some day I hope to be able to thank everyone for all that they’ve done and are doing.”